Like any Unix-based operating system, OS X has a command line interface, which exists independently of and prior to the graphical interface. The Unix-based part of OS X is called Darwin. We normally access it through the TerminalApp, in the Utilities folder.

Some other ways:

• Enter ">console" in the LoginWindow.
• During start-up, hold down command-S (or option-shift-L for a read-only mode).
• type 'sudo shutdown now' at a TerminalApp command line, and OS X will shut down to single-user mode.

When you're done, 'logout' or 'reboot'.

New to the command line? Command line Interface Tutorial for Newbies

Q. How can I lock/unlock a file on the CommandLine?

A. Mac OS X uses the immutable bit to designate that a file is locked. To lock a file:

[localhost:~] you$ chflags uchg /path/to/file 

And to unlock a file:

[localhost:~] you$ chflags nouchg /path/to/file 

Q. How can I see on the CommandLine if a file is locked?

A. Use the -o flag of the ls command:

[localhost:~] you$ ls -lo 
-rw-r--r-- 1 you staff - 5 Apr 12 14:05 ping.txt 
[localhost:~] you$ chflags uchg ping.txt 
[localhost:~] you$ ls -lo 
-rw-r--r-- 1 you staff uchg 5 Apr 12 14:05 ping.txt 

1 Some Useful Commands

Q. My Terminal.app (runs a funny script|looks odd|does nor do the right thing|too big|too small| is in the wrong place) when it starts up. How can I stop it doing that bad thing?

A. Like any good OSX app, it keeps it's settings in your Library/Preferences folder. The file is called: com.apple.Terminal.plist This is an XML PropertyList file. If you have PropertyListEditor you can change it's values instantly, otherwise any text editor will do.

Q. Is there a better terminal than Terminal.app?

A. ((iTerm.app)) is what you need. This freeware terminal tool emulates a number of common terminal types and has support for tabs. -- http://iterm.sourceforge.net/

Other pages that may have CommandLine examples:

1. CommandLine . . . . 4 matches
2. TerminalApp . . . . 2 matches
3. ssh . . . . 1 match
4. VirtualMemory . . . . 1 match
5. UsersAndGroups . . . . 1 match
6. ServerAdmin . . . . 1 match
7. ScreenSavers . . . . 1 match
8. ResExcellence . . . . 1 match
9. QuestionAnswerTemplate . . . . 1 match
10. ManualPage . . . . 1 match
11. LoginWindow . . . . 1 match
12. HiddenFeatures . . . . 1 match
13. FontManagement . . . . 1 match
14. FileSharing . . . . 1 match
15. DiveIntoOSX . . . . 1 match
16. DirectoryServices . . . . 1 match
17. Darwin . . . . 1 match
18. BootProblems . . . . 1 match

Other sites that have CommandLine examples:

• UNIX cheat sheet